Top of the State Bowl in Weed: Chabot RB Rowe runs away with MVP award

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By Daily News Sports Editor Bill Choy@SDNBillChoy

Siskiyou Daily News, Yreka, CA

By Daily News Sports Editor Bill Choy@SDNBillChoy

Posted Nov. 25, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Nov 25, 2013 at 10:44 AM

By Daily News Sports Editor Bill Choy@SDNBillChoy

Posted Nov. 25, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Nov 25, 2013 at 10:44 AM

WEED

Chabot Gladiators running back Jayden Rowe caused a headache no amount of aspirin could ever cure for the College of the Siskiyous Eagles on Saturday at the Top of The State Bowl.

Rowe was a major reason Chabot downed COS 36-23 to avenge a 48-18 loss to the Eagles in last year's bowl contest up in Weed.

Rowe rumbled for 244 yards and three scores and was named the most valuable player of the bowl contest. Rowe finished the season with 1,151 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns.

While the sophomore from Canada did not play in the Bowl game last year, he had heard about the loss to the Eagles the year before. He said he and his teammates were determined that the long drive from their campus in Hayward in the Bay Area would not be in vain and they would come back with a victory.

"I just came out and did what I needed to do to help," Rowe said. "We didn't come all this way to lose"

COS head coach Charles Roche said that Rowe is a "tough kid" and good runner who was certainly hard to contain on Saturday

"He's kind of good," Roche said with a laugh after the game. Roche said the he reminded him a lot of former Eagle Christian Reyes, who has had a lot of success as a 1,000 yard rusher with Charleston Southern this season.

While pleased with the way he ran, Rowe said that this was a team effort and raved about the way the offensive line blocked and how his quarterback, Zach Lujan, ran the offense as a true freshman.

Lujan, who finished with 137 passing yards and a touchdown and 56 rushing yards and a score was named offensive MVP.

Fellow Gladiator Jonny Allen, who finished with seven total tackles, a sack and 1.5 tackles for a loss was named defensive MVP.

Rowe said what he took the most pride in was being able to do a bit of everything, such as blocking, and said he wanted to do whatever he could to help his team.

Already, Rowe said he has received interest from a number of Division 1 schools. Schools that have have contacted him, he said, include Florida State, Michigan State, USC and UNLV.